Overpayments
An overpayment of benefit happens when benefit is paid to
which you are not entitled.
How will I know if I have got an
overpayment?
We will write to you. In the letter you receive from us, we
will give you the full details of the overpayment, as
follows.
- What caused the overpayment.
- The dates of the overpayment.
- The amount of the overpayment.
- What to do if you disagree with the overpayment.
If we are going to ask you to pay back the overpayment we will
write to you again to tell you how this will be done.
Why have I got an overpayment?
There are several reasons why you may have received an
overpayment of benefit.
- You may have forgotten to let us know that your income has
increased, for example, pay rise, tax credit, pension etc.
- Somebody may have moved into or out of your home.
- If you have other adults living with you and their
circumstances have changed.
- You may have moved out of your home and not told us.
- You may have started work, or changed jobs.
Please do not rely on anyone else to tell us about any
changes. You are required by law to tell us.
What if I do not agree with the
overpayment?
When you receive your overpayment letter, please read it
carefully. It will explain what the overpayment is for and the
dates you have been overpaid.
If you disagree with the overpayment, after reading the
explanation you can phone, write or visit the Council’s
Benefit Service and ask for a more detailed explanation or ask us
to look at our decision again. You need to do this within one
calendar month of the date of the letter.
You can also appeal against the overpayment. Please see
our separate leaflet (number 5) "Understanding our decision and
Making an appeal".
How is the overpayment recovered?
- If you are still getting Housing Benefit, your benefit may be
reduced each week to recover the overpayment.
- If you disagree with the amount of recovery, you can ask your
local Council’s Benefit Service to reconsider the amount of
recovery.
- If you pay rent to the Council the overpayment may be debited
to your rent account.
- If you are not being paid housing benefit your local Council
may invoice you.
- If your landlord was paid your benefit, your local Council’s
Benefit Service may ask the landlord to repay the overpayment in
certain circumstances.
- If you have been overpaid Council Tax Benefit, your local
Council will send you a new Council Tax bill, which will include
any money you have been overpaid.
- If your circumstances change, don't forget to let us know as
soon as possible. If we know before, there is less chance of
an overpayment.
If you need further advice please contact the
Benefits Services who will be happy to help you using the
Contact Us link above.
Useful documents
Overpayments (PDF,
325k).